Congressional Opposition Growing to FCC Media Ownership Proposal

December 10, 2012

Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838

WASHINGTON – On Monday, Rep. John Lewis, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Rep. Charles Gonzalez and Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Reps. Keith Ellison and Raul Grijalva sent a letter signed by 44 House members to the Federal Communications Commission. The letter addresses concerns about how the FCC’s proposal to relax its media ownership rules will impact diversity.

The letter is the latest in a growing chorus of opposition from congressional members to the FCC’s proposal. Last week, 11 senators led by Sens. Maria Cantwell and Bernie Sanders along with Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Jose Serrano sent letters urging the Commission to study the impact of any rule changes on diversity. Sen. Cantwell also raised the possibility of a Senate resolution of disapproval if the FCC moves forward with its plan.

Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron made the following statement:

"The message from Capitol Hill to the FCC is simple and clear: Stop it. Stop the rush for more media consolidation. Stop delaying the much-needed studies on how the rule changes would affect ownership diversity. Stop ignoring the impact on women and people of color. Stop putting the interests of Rupert Murdoch ahead of the 99 percent of the public that opposes these changes. Stop thwarting the will of Congress and the courts.